So, you’ve been invited to a bridal shower, but if you’re totally honest, you’re a little confused. What is a bridal shower? Even in 2026, while bridal showers are common in places like the US, they still aren’t a universal tradition. Maybe this is the first one you’ve ever been to. Or maybe you’re about to become the host of a bridal shower for a close friend and need a little inspiration. Either way, you’re probably going to want a bit of guidance. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what a bridal shower is and explore the key elements that make this joyous celebration feel special.
What is a bridal shower?
Let's get right into the basics. A bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration held in honour of the bride-to-be. The purpose: to shower the bride with good wishes, congratulations, and gifts.
Essentially, a bridal shower is an opportunity for the bride's closest friends and family to show their support and celebrate as she embarks on her journey to marriage.
On the day of the shower, guests come together to celebrate the bride and enjoy time together before the wedding. During the day, you might partake in some activities, games, definitely some eating and drinking, and on occasion there might even a theme.
What is the history behind a bridal shower?
You might be surprised to hear that according to World Bride Magazine, a bridal shower has its roots in 16th century Holland. During this time, it emerged as a substitute for the dowry system.
A few weeks before the wedding, friends and family would gather to present the bride-to-be with small gifts to assist her in starting her married life. The tradition therefore served as a form of support for brides (especially those who may have lacked the means to provide a dowry or who faced opposition from their families regarding the marriage).
Meanwhile in the US, historically, women of the upper class once organised bridal shower gatherings to celebrate and exchange gifts, tasty treats, and thoughts about the bride-to-be's impending role as a wife.
It was at these particular parties that a charming tradition emerged, whereby attendees would place small gifts inside a paper parasol and "shower" them over the honoured bride-to-be (that finally explains the "shower" part!). It was during this era that modern bridal showers, began to take shape!
But things have changed a little since then!
Is it common to have a bridal shower?
In 2026, bridal showers are still far from a universal wedding tradition and depending on where you're from, you'll be more or less familiar with them. Because while they’re still common in places like the US, in others they're really only just taking off, and sometimes not popular at all.
According to Anatole's bridal shower guide...
- 68% of brides in the US have a bridal shower
- 54% of brides in Canada have a bridal shower
- 8% of brides in the UK have a bridal shower
- 6% of brides in Australia have a bridal shower
Not planning on having one yourself? That's okay! This is a very much optional celebration and if it's not for you, there's plenty of space for other wedding related gatherings.
When is a bridal shower held?
You'll find that most bridal showers are held around 2–6 months before the wedding, (according to Anatole’s bridal shower guide). And logically that makes sense, because during the very final weeks before the wedding, a bride can be far too busy to enjoy a party.
But ultimately, these are just guidelines; forget the rules and do what feels right for you! You can hold your bridal shower whenever you like, whether it's a year or three days before the big day.
Sorting the invitations on time
Wondering about how to sort your bridal shower invitations? At Peppermint Press, we most commonly see invitations sent to guests 4-6 weeks before the bridal shower (Vogue says the same thing!). This way, you'll give guests enough time to plan, without it being too far ahead.
And just a heads up, if you're in charge of invitations, you'll want to put in your order with us at least 3-4 weeks before you plan to send them out.
See our collection of bridal shower invitations here.
Like the design you see above? Take a look at our Union collection.
So, what is the difference between a bridal shower and a bachelorette party?
With all this celebration around weddings, it's sometimes hard to know where one event ends and the other begins. But although a bachelorette party can feel similar to a bridal shower, there are some key differences.
Firstly, a bridal shower is designed to equip the bride-to-be for her forthcoming married life (with gifts, support, advice, and so on). On the other hand, a bachelorette party is intended for the bride to unwind and celebrate. It often involves a more prolonged celebration and a fun farewell to her current pre-married existence.
It's also worth noting that a bridal shower could include a larger circle of friends or guests. Whilst many women choose to have a more intimate group of close friends for their bachelorette, your bridal party could include anywhere from 20 to 50 guests according to The Knot. Think aunties and cousins too, not just bridesmaids and close friends. At Peppermint Press, we often see orders for bridal shower invitations for up to 30 guests.
Who organises a bridal shower?
And then there's the topic of who plans your bridal shower. Whilst for a bachelorette party, the bridesmaids and the maid of honour will typically plan a night out or a weekend away (cue the celebrations, champagne, and partying), a bridal shower is mostly organised by the maid of honour (perhaps even with input from the bride). We're talking about brunches, long lunches, perhaps a dinner or a garden party.
But the responsibility doesn't always land on just the one person. There's always help available from the bridesmaids or family members of the bride, and on the day itself, these girls will make sure everything goes smoothly.
It's also worth noting that the host (or the group) will often take care of all the expenses too, including food, catering, decorations, and anything else required.
Just in case you're curious, according to Anatole...
- 48% are hosted by the maid of honour
- 31% are hosted by multiple hosts
- 12% are hosted by colleagues
- 9% are hosted by family friends
Do people bring gifts to a bridal shower?
Gift-giving is a core part of bridal showers and it always has been. The tradition originally began as a way for friends and family to help set the bride up for married life.
So fast forward to 2026, and guests still bring presents for the bride-to-be, ranging from sentimental keepsakes and personalised items to homewares and self-care gifts. In some cases, the maid of honour and bridesmaids will also club together for a larger, shared gift to make it feel a little more special for the bride.
In terms of budget, most guests spend around $50–$75 on a bridal shower gift, as outlined by The Knot.
However, it's also not uncommon for guests to be informed that gifts aren't necessary. What with the rising costs of weddings for guests and the many components of a wedding (from bachelorette parties to destination weddings), bridal shower gifts are certainly not always expected.
Everything you need to plan a bridal shower
Now you know the answer to the question "what is a bridal shower?" and have a solid understanding of the etiquette behind them, it's time to turn to their planning and the components that will make the event what it is.
Pen at the ready; it's time to take note.
Bridal shower themes
While it's not a requirement, some hosts choose to incorporate a theme into their bridal parties. Of course, the chosen theme can influence various aspects of the bridal shower, such as the decorations, activities, and even the attire.
Some popular bridal shower themes include baking parties, yoga-themed gatherings, beach parties, tea parties, disco themes and so on.
Bridal shower venues
Bridal showers can be held pretty much anywhere, making them affordable for guests and adaptable to the bride. For a low-key event, throw it at someone's (most likely the host's) home.
Otherwise, you could book a restaurant for brunch or dinner. Looking for a more outdoorsy event? You could also hold a picnic in a park or head for a barbecue on the beach.
Bridal shower presents
If you're attending a bridal shower, you'll want to bring gifts. It's in the name after all! Here's a short list of gift ideas to ignite a little inspiration:
Something for the wedding day
Custom bridal hanger, champagne flutes, or a jewellery case.
Personalised gifts
Monogrammed towels, custom-made keepsakes, or engraved jewelry.
Experiential gifts
Spa day, self-care gift basket, or a restaurant voucher.
Kitchenware and home essentials
Cookware, kitchen gadgets, or home decor.
Thoughtful gestures
Wedding journal, scented candle, or a bouquet of flowers.
Bridal shower games
A bridal shower is a great time for a bride-to-be's family and friends to bond and get a little silly. Enter the bridal shower games!
Games such as "How Well Do You Know the Bride?" (a quiz about the bride), "Guess the Bride's Age" (guessing the brides age from different photos in their lifetime) and "Bridal Shower Bingo" (wedding related bingo) could make for some great ice-breaker games. Be as creative as you like!
Bridal shower cake
It's not totally necessary to have a bridal shower cake, but cake is always a surefire way to commemorate an occasion. So, why not?
Whether you desire a classic layered cake or a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects the bride's individuality, make yours personal and to the bride's unique preferences. The best part is, not only will a beautiful cake be a feast for the eyes, but also for the tastebuds.
Bridal shower invitations
Set the stage for your bridal shower with invitations that add a touch of luxe to your event. At Peppermint Press our beautiful range of invitations can be personalised to your event colours, wording and details, incorporating fun elements or matching the design of your wedding invitations.
Browse our bridal shower invitations here.
Do you like the design above? Take a look at our Heritage collection.
Bridal shower favours
Bridal shower favours can serve as both decorations and useful supplies. There's no rule anywhere saying that you must have bridal favours, but if you'd like to include them in your plans, go for it! Consider items such as bottle openers, personalised wine glasses, candles, or vases, and where possible customise them for your guests.
When it comes to paying for bridal shower favours, it's typically the host that provides them, however the bride might want provide these as a thank you to her favourite people, her maid of honour and bridesmaids.
Bridal shower decorations
Depending on where an event is held, bridal showers can be dressed up to match a theme or simply with flowers for an elegant look. Consider integrating confetti, balloons, signage, floral arrangements, flower walls and photographs to create the ambiance and experience you're after.
Bridal shower drinks
Holding a bridal party at your house? Or perhaps the house of your bride-to-be? You've got the opportunity to make some cocktails, or serve up some of the bride's favourite drinks. Play your cards right and you could also match them up with the theme or decorations at your party.
Whether it's wine, craft beer or fun cocktail concoctions that will impress your bride, do your research and find out what it is that will take the party to the next level. Remember to be inclusive and serve non-alcoholic drinks too!
Bridal shower outfits
What a bride-to-be and her guests wear to a bridal shower totally depends on the event. Ultimately, you could wear absolutely anything you want. As the organiser of the event, you might like to send out some information with the invitations which will help people plan in advance.
You might like to go for bikinis, summer dresses, yoga pants or Christmas jumpers depending on the season or preferences of the bride.
Bridal shower food
If your bridal shower doesn't involve eating at a restaurant, it's a good idea to think about the kind of food that can be served. Need a little inspiration?
Finger foods and appetisers
Mini quiches, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, sliders, or skewers. These are easy to eat while mingling and help create a relaxed, social feel.
Charcuterie and cheese platters
Cured meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, nuts, and dried fruits. When styled well, this becomes more than just food; it turns into the centrepiece of the table.
Salads
Fresh, lighter dishes like mixed greens with fruit and nuts, Caprese salad, or quinoa and orzo salads. They add colour and balance to the spread, especially for daytime events.
Sandwiches
Classic finger sandwiches like cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon with dill, or chicken salad. Simple, familiar, and always easy to serve.
Mini desserts
Mini cupcakes, macarons, petit fours, or fruit tarts. A selection of small sweets lets guests try a bit of everything and adds a soft, celebratory finish.
Brunch-style favourites
Think quiches, avocado toast platters, mini pastries, and breakfast-style bites. This works especially well for daytime bridal showers and ties everything together with a relaxed, café-style feel.
More relaxed, hearty options
Not every bridal shower needs to stay in “light bites” territory. Mini burgers, sliders, wraps, or even build-your-own taco boards can work really well, especially for more casual or co-ed celebrations.
